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Failure after failure after failure. Massive failure. Inside all of it just a modicum of success. For many the daily grind would break them, the glimmer of hope would not sustain them. But these humans have that something extra which drives them to seek out splendid discipline and by doing so, to shine.

The Sunday Series (35): The Hall of Fame

If this blog is about anything, it’s about purpose, passion, meaning, it’s just about… life. Baseball, the sport which most closely resembles it. The sport which relates to the every day challenges almost all of us face. It’s how you overcome, persevere, strategize, hope, love and then step up to the plate, with the knowledge that if you just keep trying, learn from failure after failure, work at getting better, you too will shine.

That’s life. That’s baseball. And those who do it best, those who make failure their friend and success their brother, earn their way to the top of the mountain and a golden ticket to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Today six men who played and/or managed the game get their place in baseball immortality. No, I didn’t interview a single one, but I did get to watch them play and I simply thought it fitting this Sunday to share some Hall of Fame quotes from or about these players. Day after day these men managed to find success admist a sea of challenges at the plate, on the mound, in the dugout. The statistics in baseball are everything, but the numbers are necessary because in this game where everything counts, just like life, the numbers never lie. And if you can hit 3-out-of-10, if you can throw more strikes than balls and win more than you lose, if you can manage 25 men to greatness, then you can become the best. And if you do, if you can, there is nothing quite like a view from the top.

First there are the two pitchers and a manager, all who were part of the Atlanta Braves historic run through the 1990’s: Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas.

Greg Maddux, nicknamed “Mad Dog” and “The Professor” by his teammates. The only pitcher in major league history to win at least 15 games in 17 seasons. The only pitcher to record 300 wins, 3,000 strikeouts and walk fewer than 1,000. A 4-time consecutive Cy Young award winner, who racked up 355 wins.

Maddux has one of the greatest quotes of all time for a pitcher, and little leaguers should listen up: “The secret to pitching, is to make your balls look like strikes and your strikes look like balls.” Love that one.

Tom Glavine, who had five 20-win seasons, 2 Cy Young awards and the fourth-most wins (305) by any left-handed pitcher in Major League history: “There was always that willingness to look at myself and know there were things I could do better and I needed to do better,” Glavine says. “In my mind, I was never shy about taking those things on to try to get better.”

Then there is Manager Bobby Cox, who spent most of his career with the Braves, guiding them to 16 post-season appearances, four pennants and a World Series: “Bobby did things no other manager had the guts to do,” former pitcher John Smoltz says. “He understood players. He understood what made them tick, and trusted them, and what their pride was. We didn’t have parachutes in spring training or any of those gimmicks.” No gimmicks for Cox, who earned Manager of the Year honors four times and had more than 2500 victories.

Two other managers also are enshrined today, inclulding Joe Torre, best known for his days in pinstripes with the Yankees, winning six pennants and four world championships cementing his niche in baseball history. “I learned from every managing job, said Torre. There are certain things you don’t care for but you have to do. You just have to learn how to do them. I always tried to find a positive way to get a message across to a player. So I had to hone my communication skills. I tried to stay the same person as manager, I was as a player.”

Manager Tony LaRussa won multiple World Series championships with the Oakland A’s and St Louis Cardinals. He was also one of those whose skills were documeted in George Wills legendary book, Men At Work. “I never imagined managing so long”, says Larussa, whose career lasted 33 years. LaRussa has been criticized because some of his most successful teams included players who were suspected of, or admitted to steroid use. LaRussa says, “I know there are people that have accused me because of some of the guys that helped us win in Oakland and St. Louis, so the only thing I can say is I know 100 percent that our program was absolutely clean for everything that we could control.”

For Chicago White Sox slugger Frank Thomas, “The Big Hurt”, who also played ball during the steroid era, but was never linked to any performance-enhancing drugs, this honor means so much: “I can just tell you, what I did was real and that’s why I’ve got this smile on my face right now because the writers, they definitely got it right.” Right is right. Thomas was a 2-time Most Valuable Player (in consecutive years), a Comeback Player of the Year and had more than 500 homeruns, while maintaining a .300 lifetime batting average. He’s on a short list of players who accomplished that feat including Hall of Famers, Babe Ruth, Jimmie Fox, Mel Ott , Ted Williams, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron. That’s some serious company.

Though most of us will never take the mound in a major league ballpark, hit a homerun over 400 feet, (or even 200 for that matter), nor have the patience, talent and smarts to corral a group of 25 men and march them toward a world championship…we can all learn a lesson from those who lived these moments as part of the greatest game ever played, because we too overcome great challenges.

Baseball is a tough game. So is life. We face struggles and failure. In baseball, hard work, discipline, consistency and extraordinary achievement is rewarded with a ticket to sports immortality. Do the same in life and you too are rewarded, maybe not with a bust in the Hall of Fame, but with a legacy you leave that all whose lives you touched will remember.

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Blog Reviews

Love seeing new blogs hit the ground running like this one (by a dad no less), but I also urge anyone vaguely interested in blogging to stay tuned, I am. Good luck on your journey – glad that I am along for the ride.

Rachel Blaufeld

Great blog Mark! I always appreciate reading what you have to say. You are very gifted and talented and hopefully someday you’ll not just blog, but write a book.

Stephen Koncurat

I’m definitely along for the ride. We’ve all seen how much damage the written word can inflict. More positive writers are needed. And I love how you are using your personal experiences – those with your wife and children – and your gift of writing to open eyes and to inspire others.

Victoria Endicott

Absolutely beautifully written! The girls in your life must be very proud of you. Thanks for sharing Mark, I look forward to reading more!

Gina Glick Jolson

Very shortly this site will be famous amid all blogging and site-building users, due to it’s pleasant posts.

Leila Galloway

Absolutely beautiful! Are you at all thinking of penning a book? You’ve got a fan base out there that really thinks you should Mark. You write so eloquently. Glad that I got onto this site.

Marilyn Lefkowitz

Mark, You are truly a gifted writer and obviously, a special father and husband . Always a delight to read your words.

I’m speechless…beautiful words flow from your heart just like a gentle waterfall into a tranquil stream… thank you so much for the friend request I was blessed the day I clicked confirm.

Lynne Turner Dorsey

From your first writing in 4th grade entitled “People” which was published in the school newspaper, you have always been able to write. Never more so than when you started “Caringbridge” and now your blog, everyone who reads says what a wonderful writer you are. Our DREAM for you is to become an author and encourage people every day. You are by the far the best and we hope and pray you reach your dream.

Bonnie Brodinsky

I know you always thank us for reading but I would like to say thanks for writing.

Stuart Abell

Great piece. You are an inspiration!

Rob Commodari

Mark I just wanted to let you know that you are succeeding in your “ultimate goal”. I have gained so much from your blogs. I look forward to reading them for the special lift that they give me. Thank you.

Amy F.

I love waking up and starting my day with my coffee and your blog! It a great way to start my day with positive uplifting thoughts!! It puts me in a positive frame of mind throughout the day and allows me to reflect on my personal life, make changes, and grow !!!

Gayle Blank

You are quite talented Mark. Thanks for sharing!

Cynthia

I always look forward to your Blog Mark. Thanks for sharing and as you always do, make it a great / remarkable Day!

Chuck Connolly

Thanks for your Blog Mark. It is fun, encouraging and a nice break from a day full of ups and downs.

Jackie Hetrick

With my busy schedule, there is (sadly) little time for reading. But I have two must-reads every time I come across them, the sports section and your blogs. Keep inspiring and following your dream!

Ed Nemec

Mark, you are a truly remarkable individual. You do speak from your heart, I can’t wait to read your book. You are an incredible writer.

Debbie Press

Mark, I am glad I clicked on your post this morning, which lead me to your writing, your goal.
Would like to connect. This speaks to me.

Aileen Braverman

I can’t wait to read the book. I have followed all the blogs and feel so good that I know u guys. You make me cry but you make me laugh too. All the very best to you!

Beverlee Rendelman

Connect with Mark!

WOW!!! It Takes 2 is a must read for anyone who has known someone diagnosed with cancer or other life threatening disease. This is the real story of a family lead by an incredible woman, Debbie Brodinsky, who took radical steps to beat the breast cancer beast. The story is told by her husband, Mark Brodinsky, through journal entries he kept starting with diagnosis through one year cancer free. This author's unique ability to pour his heart out onto the page draws you in from the beginning and holds you until the very end.

Thanks to Mark and Debbie Brodinsky for this gift...I have a new perspective on what it means to be a breast cancer survivor. You are a hero, Debbie Brodinsky!

TeeBThree
September 25, 2013

This book gives a heartfelt, in depth description of what it is like to go through breast cancer with the one you love. It is beautifully written and I felt as though I was living it with them! I highly recommend this book!

Jgs17September 24, 2013

In It Takes 2, Mark Brodinsky windows us into his world where his wife, the cancer patient, is not the only victim. Part journal, part roadmap, It Takes 2 goes to the real humanity of facing the mortality of one's better half. Mark's candid perspective, love, and fierce intention resonate with hope in a story which is about much more than cancer. Mark himself is perhaps the most heroic character for the way he appreciates this life and so many of us in it...as he says, "thanks for caring."

Réné PallaceSeptember 24, 2013

It Takes Two: A Spouse's Story by Mark Brodinsky should be read by every person who is experiencing serious illness or injury or by a loved one of someone who is experiencing either of those situations. The book is an eloquent testament to the power of love and the healing energy derived from the belief that things will get better. There is not one word of "poor me" from the author or his wife who suffered breast cancer and the radical surgery she elected to have to beat the cancer. Rather, the book is a celebration of the courage displayed by them both in seeing it through.

The book also encourages readers to speak and write down their true feelings and be validated in them. John Mackovic writing in the Palm Springs, CA Desert Sun on November 2, 2013 quoted author and artist Doe Zantamata who said, " To be happy, you don't have to do anything new. You just have to remember how to believe again...Believe everything good is possible. Believe in your dreams. Believe in people. Believe in love. But most of all...believe in yourself." The author, his wife, their family and extended family and friends never stopped believing in his wife's recovery, and I think, in themselves. Read this book and believe.

Paul A. RiecksNovember 4, 2013

This book is a must read for anyone with a family member with breast cancer. It takes you through the spouse's perspective from diagnosis to recovery. Mark journaled his wife's journey and put all of his emotions out there. It is beautifully written and inspiring to anyone going through breast cancer. Thank you, Mark for sharing Debbie's story.

Jmu1109October 23, 2013

A friend recommended this book. This was a great perspective of a man standing beside his partner and passing along to the reader fear, hope, useful information and a broader story than his own. I loved Vinnie the tattoo artist. This is a great book. Thanks for sharing, Mark and "thanks for caring"

Blahsan

This book is a must read. What sets this book apart from other books about surviving breast cancer is that it is told by the husband and his point of view, not from the survivor. At times sad, at times poignant but even through the worst of it you can always feel the love he has for his wife, her strength and the strength of their extended family and friends. The posts that are included from their friends and family lets you really into the heart and strength of the family. I would recommend this book to anyone who is currently going through this, whether you are the person or the caregiver. I also recommend this book to anyone who has a friend that has been or is currently going through their fight now. It was an eye opener for me.

L. BogashSeven Valleys, PA

There isn't a shortage of books about breast cancer, but most are written from the perspective of the person who has battled cancer or a physician or other expert. What an enlightening experience to read about breast cancer from a husband and caregiver's perspective! Not only does the author give us insight into his wife's experience and emotions, but he openly shares and reveals his love, compassion, support, and, yes, sometimes anger at the disease as he stands by his wife's side during their journey to beat the beast. Your story may not be the same, but I guarantee if you have a loved one battling cancer, you won't go wrong reading It Takes 2.

PattiMSeptember 25, 2013

From the moment I opened this book I never stopped reading. Mark invites the reader to come along on this journey that his family went through. I cried, laughed and learned so much. This book will give comfort and knowledge to those going through similar situations. Most importantly, Mark and his family never give up. They get knocked down and get right back up. They fought cancer together and with their strength, determination and will to prevail... They do!

Read. Read. Read. Keep reading. Never stop. For too long I didn’t embrace that reality, that I could, as Jim Rohn says, “reach the higher shelves in life by standing on the books you read.” But not just any books. Books and articles which align with my purpose, my mission, my why: to become more […]

The very fact so many of you care to pay attention is humbling beyond words. Since I began what will end up here as a trilogy of blogs about our daughter Sophie and her very special Bat Mitzvah weekend, the visitors and the number of views have been off the charts. You have literally made […]